Even though the M-20 bridge is down 50 percent, at two lanes instead of four, traffic is flowing over the bridge better than officials envisioned.

"Traffic within the construction zone has been flowing a bit better than expected. We still experience congestion during the high volume times (early morning and later afternoon)," MDOT project engineer Jason Garza said in an email.

As the area heads into summer, rising temperatures has enabled MDOT to place temporary lane markings, which help delineate the traffic lanes more clearly.

"This allows us to rely a bit less on the plastic drums. Again, MDOT appreciates the public's patience as we know this is a long duration project," Garza said of the bridge reconstruction which is scheduled to be completed by July 2019.

The $21.3 million project will take about 18 months to complete. The contractor, Milbocker and Son, is working currently on the westbound lanes, of the 62-year-old bridge. Plans are to reopen the westbound span in November 2018.

"Crews continue to complete the drilled shafts for the bridge foundation. The new bridge will have only three piers. Shafts are complete at two of the three piers," Garza said.

The end of this week should see the completion of the eastern abutment (city side of the river). Then crews move to the westside of the river to complete the shafts for the other abutment and final pier.

"As the shaft construction continues, crews will begin forming the pier caps for concrete placement," Garza said. "Keep in mind this is all for the westbound portion of the bridge. We will repeat this whole process once we flip over to the eastbound portion of the bridge."

Water levels on the Tittabawassee River have been very cooperative.

"I am hoping that continues," Garza said. "There have been no other problems other than the usual decisions and challenges that we face on any construction project of this magnitude."